Location:
4400 N. Jean-Baptiste Pointe DuSable Lake Shore Drive
Chicago, IL 60613
Located Within:
Lincoln (Abraham) Park
Features:
Has Wi-Fi
Is Accessible
Note:
Has an accessible path of travel (beach walk) to the shoreline. Additionally, a beach wheelchair is available for free use with a valid ID. Visit the lifeguard office at the beach house to check one out.
Rules
- Swim only when lifeguards are on duty.
- Follow lifeguards’ instructions.
- Only Coast Guard approved personal flotation devices (PFDs) are permitted. Person-children wearing PFDs should have adult present.
- No smoking.
- No alcohol.
- Dogs are permitted only within the designated dog beach. Learn more about Chicago Park District Dog Friendly Areas.
- Do not feed birds or wildlife.
- Dispose of trash and recycling in appropriate containers.
- Grill in designated areas only and dispose of coals in red barrels.
- Keep accessible beach walks clear. No bicycling, skateboarding or rollerblading is permitted in these areas.
- Access to the Lake Michigan Water Trail for sports such as kayaking, canoeing and other non-motorized board or paddle sports is allowed at the Wilson Avenue ramp and at the south end of Montrose Beach.
- Kiteboarding is permitted at Montrose Beach only. See more on kiteboarding below.
- Surfing is allowed in‐season (from Memorial Day to Labor Day) at Montrose and 57th Street beaches only. However, surfers will not be allowed in active swim areas at any time. While Lifeguards may be on‐duty, participating is at your own risk. If lifeguards are on duty you must check in with them. The Captain of the Guards or other designated representative of the Chicago Park District has the final authority to allow, limit or deny surfers access to the water. Learn more about surfing here.
Chicago Park District Kiteboarding Policy
- Kiteboarding is allowed only when there is a red or yellow flag up at Montrose Beach.
- Kiteboarding within 100 yards of the swimming area is prohibited on yellow flag days.
- Kiteboarders can only enter and exit on the Wilson entrance next to the Dog beach and the Montrose entrance next to the Bird Sanctuary.
- Kiteboarders must have a life vest or life jacket on at all times.
- Kiteboarders are prohibited from leaving kites unattended. Unattended kites have the potential to create hazards for patrons on the beach.
- Kiteboarders must comply with Park District rules, including those rules enforced by lifeguard staff, at all times.
Hours
Park Hours
Hours Notes
The beach is open from 6 am to 11 pm, but swimming is only permitted during the beach season when lifeguards are on duty from 11 am to 7 pm, in designated swim areas. The beach season runs from the Friday before Memorial Day, through Labor Day.
Description
Montrose Beach is located at 4400 N. Lake Shore Drive (Montrose Ave. at Lake Michigan) near the Uptown neighborhood. This popular beach offers patrons amenities that include food concessions, kayak and volleyball rentals, showers and restrooms. There is a non-motorized boat launch. An ADA accessible beach walk is available. Patrons can park at pay and display lots or street parking. Distance swimming is available from Tower 4 (north of boathouse) and parallel to shore. A dog friendly beach is located at north end of Montrose Beach.
South of the recreational beach a natural area attracts many migratory birds during the fall and spring seasons. A serene dune habitat has a rare panne habitat and endangered plant life thrives at this location.
Distance Swimming: tower 4 (north of boathouse), parallel to shore
For questions regarding Chicago beaches, email beaches3@chicagoparkdistrict.com.
History
Lincoln Park is one of Chicago’s oldest and largest parks. Surprisingly, more than 1,000 acres of this park and its beaches are completely made from landfill.
By 1929, Lincoln Park had 300 acres of landfill extending as far north as Irving Park Road. The Lincoln Park Commissioners had intended to keep landfill operations moving northbound, but work slowed because of the Depression.
In 1934, all of Chicago’s 22 separate park commissions were consolidated into the Chicago Park District. With extensive funding available through Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal, the Park District began many park improvements, including the Montrose to Foster landfill extension.
The plan for the extension included several buildings designed by E.V. Buchsbaum, including the beach house at Montrose Beach. Modeled after the beach house at North Avenue, the building looks like a lake steamer.
In the 1950s, the east wing of the beach house burned in a fire and was not rebuilt. Instead, the Park District constructed an open-air changing addition to the south side of the building. Today, the beach house is still in existence and is used by beach-goers.
Parking/Directions
Parking
Pay & display parking and street parking
Get rates and additional information.
Public Transit
The following public bus & train routes serve this beach:
CTA Bus Routes:
78 Montrose
81 Lawrence
151 Sheridan
CTA Red Line Station:
Lawrence
Wilson
Map & Facilities
Montrose Beach - Kayak Chicago | Concession
Montrose & Lake Michigan
Chicago, IL 60640
United States
:
(630) 336-7245
Montrose Beach - J I Concession
Montrose Beach - The Dock | Concession
Montrose & Lake Michigan
Chicago, IL 60640
United States
:
(773) 704-8435
Montrose Beach - Morelos | Concession
Montrose & Lakeshore drive
Chicago, IL 60640
United States
:
(773) 793-6167
Montrose Beach - Noel's Tacos | Concession
Montrose & Lakeshore drive
Chicago, IL 60640
United States
:
(773) 766-1812
Montrose Beach - Jet Ski Chicago | Concession
Montrose & Lake Michigan
Chicago, IL 60640
United States
:
(312) 600-8679
